"They not only build iconic buildings, they support the industry in terms of training, events and entering awards," Mr Blakeney said. "It's a community aspiration as well as building a business. And that lifts standards.

"You can see the quality work - just look at the Riverlink project in Maitland, or the Anchorage renovations or the redevelopment at Corlette - .and it drives competition with other quality firms like North to reach and further that high standard."

Mr Blakeney said it is incredibly hard for any building firm to last 20 years.

"You see a lot of the family businesses struggle over a time frame like that," Mr Blakeney said.

"Profit margins are very narrow, there is a lot of financial pressure and succession can be an issue.

"Graph have had to be excellent financially and building wise, and they know their market. That formula has stood the test of time."

The year 2018 was a special one for Graph, named Newcastle MBA's Commercial Builder of the Year for the second time in it's history (they also won in 2004), the award coinciding neatly with 20 years of operation.

"Awards have a lot to do with timing of the market, but the fact they won in 2004 and again in 2018 is testimony that Graph have done the basics well over the long haul," Mr Blakeney said.

"They treat customers and staff well, they pay contractors and suppliers and of course they produce work of the highest quality."

Based at Broadmeadow, Newcastle MBA has close to 750 members within the Hunter, providing essential services to the local building industry.

"We'd like to thank Graph for the support over many years and hopefully they keep up the high standards established and continue to make some worthwhile profits in the process," Mr Blakeney said. "After all, when it's all said and done, that's important too. And we hope we can continue to support them in their business structures and success."